It’s no secret that to be a successful pickleball player, you need to be adept at the kitchen line, not just with dinks, but also with volleys.
The volley dink can be an extremely useful tool if you know when to use it, how to execute it, and how to add the shot to your game.
What is a volley dink?
A dink is a soft, controlled shot made at the kitchen line. Players aim to make the ball bounce on the opponent’s side of the net within the kitchen area. Dinking allows players to set up points and reset the ball after they’ve been under attack.
A volley dink is similar, except players do not wait for the ball to bounce on their side of the net. Instead, they take the ball out of the air and send it back to their opponent’s side of the net into the kitchen.
Why and when to execute a volley dink
At higher levels of play, it’s best to take as many dinks out of the air as possible. However, you must do so with a purpose.
You should make a volley dink rather than a traditional dink when you want to be aggressive. When you execute a volley dink, it eliminates your opponent’s ability to set up for their next shot.
If you let the ball bounce before hitting it, your opponent has time to set their feet for the next shot, opening up a chance for them to attack. Conversely, if you take the ball out of the air, it puts more pressure on your opponent, and you may cause them to hit the ball while off-balance. This gives your opponent a greater chance to pop up the ball or make an error that allows you to attack.
How to position yourself for a volley dink
As with any dinking, your toes should be nearly on the kitchen line, and you should be in a low, squatted position.
Your dominant arm and paddle should be out in front of you. Keeping your chest up and your head forward, you are ready to dink or volley dink.
How to know when to take a dink out of the air
When you’re dinking at the kitchen line, pretend you have a small bubble around your body, about as far as your arms can comfortably reach in any direction.
If the ball is inside your bubble, you can comfortably take it out of the air. This comfort means you are less likely to mishit or overreach for the ball.
If you’re reaching outside the bubble, you may have to make an incorrect swing path or fall into the kitchen to hit the ball. Both of these scenarios will cause a loss of points.
If the ball is in a grey area, meaning you’re unsure whether it’s in your bubble or not, it is OK to take a step back off the kitchen line to hit your next shot. However, you must be mindful to step straight back, rather than pivoting, to keep your contact point in front of your body.
How to improve your volley dinks
You and your drilling partner should stand on opposite sides of the court at the kitchen line. Dink with your partner, aiming for the back third of the kitchen at your opponent’s feet. Try to dink with a purpose, moving your partner around their half of the court.
When applicable — ensuring your arm is not fully outstretched — take the ball out of the air to perform a volley dink. Did your drilling partner have to perform an uncomfortable shot? Did it create a pop-up or a chance for you to attack?
Once you’re comfortable, try mixing up your dinks and volleys, alternating your location from inside to outside of the court. And don’t forget to switch which side of the court you’re playing on.
